Laurelines

Brittany sketches, part six and last!

Oh, I long to be back there, on that secluded beach, on that glorious autumn afternoon. A very moving, tender polychrome figure, one of many such at the Museum of Breton Culture in Quimper. This is a world-class museum on an intimate scale. You should go if ever you have the chance! The doors of my rented house in the Breton countryside were almost electric in their blueness. There was a doll museum in Josselin, containing the collection of a member of the Rohan family, who've owned the adjacent chateau since time began. Or thereabouts. Early in my stay, Casey and I had lunch in Lochmariaquer, before taking a boat ride among the nearby islands. Here were some neighbors at the cafe. Be sure to check out Casey's sketches of Brittany---she posted more yesterday. So, c'est tout, les amis. I have no more of Brittany to share. Hasn't it been fun, though? I hope someday to return to that surprising, enchanting place.

Brittany sketches, part five!

The only good thing about having to grab moments to post sketches in between other, more pressing business is that this drawn-out process allows the memories of that wonderful trip to linger more vividly...  it's as if those three weeks in Brittany had a sillage, the perfume of which I can still detect in the air afterward, many days and thousands of miles away.

Brittany sketches, part four!

In addition to gathering information and images for my water series of paintings, I was a regular old tourist in Brittany, as these sketches will show. I had never been there before, so I wanted to see as much as I could. In three weeks, I drove 3000 km. And I'd still be there, tootling around the region in my little Opel, sketchbook in hand and wide smile on my face, if I could. More sketches to come, but family matters are intense once again, so it may be a few days before I can find the time to post again.

Brittany sketches, part three!

I LOVED Brittany!!! I will say more about this as I continue to post my sketches and stories, but for right now a brief declaration of love will have to suffice. My mother is back in the hospital (though doing better, as of last night----they've discovered the source of a problem that has been plaguing her for a long while, so that is the bright side of this latest setback. We all hope this will allow her to really regain her strength and appetite.). I will be on the road again, to and from her town for the foreseeable future. My daughter Cecelia is coming, with her boyfriend for a ten-day visit (several days of which I will, unfortunately have to miss, due to my mother's illness), and our grandson Jonas turns one today, with a big party here tomorrow in celebration. So, lots going on.

Here, without further ado, are more sketches:

My little French studio

 On this tabletop, I've been laying down washes on my ink sketches--- when I haven't had time to do this on site.

I'm leaving this cozy, lovely house tomorrow.  I've been so happy here. I'll dream of this house in the green and gold Breton countryside for a long time to come.

I'll be in Paris for just a few days and then I go home!!! I can't wait!

Lots of sketches to share with you, once my scanner and I have our reunion next week.

Come back soon, why don't you!

More from Brittany

I'm having a GLORIOUS time! My mother is getting well! Just talked to her and she sounds like her old self--- she's gaining a bit of weight, she's keeping everyone there on their toes, and she's put in a request/command for some seriously arcane Italian perfume, which she's sure I'll be able to find in Paris, even though I think it has been discontinued. If it's gettable, I'll find it.

Casey Toussaint came for a couple of days, and as each day proved more perfect than the last, we extended her stay for a week! There is nothing like careening around France with another artist who just wants to draw and have fun! Check her blog in the next few days and see how different our takes are on all that we saw and rendered!